Vat for paper-making machines



ApriT'S, 1930.

Filed March 30, 1928 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 April 8, 1930. w. H. MILLSPAUGHVAT FOR PAPER MAKING MACHINES Filed March 30-, 1928 :s Sheets-Sheet 2 INIENTOR W g M ATTORNEY April 8, 1930. w.- H. MILLSPAUGH VAT FOR PAPERMAKING MACHINES 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed March 30-, 1928 I I III/llA7//////////7 \\\\I:

IIIIIIIIIIIII/ Q l! l l/ll BY 6M ATTORNEYS.

Patented Apr. 8, 1930 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 1 WILLIAM H.MILLSPAUGH, OF SANDUSKY, OHIO, ASSIGNOR TO THE PAPER & TEXTILE MACHINERYCOMPANY, OF SANDUSKY, OHIO var 1'03 PAPER-MAKING MACHINES Applicationfiled March 80, 1928. Serial No. 266,018.

The invention to be hereinafter described relates to paper makingmachines and methods and more especially to a particular construction ofvat and the method of feed- 5 ing the stock to the forming element.

In the various types of paper making machines at present in use, thepaper stock is fed from a simple box or trough directly ontothe formingelement, either by so disposing the forming element that a portion ofits surface, during the forming operation, lies below the lowest part ofthe top edges of the vertical walls of the vat or else having one sideof the vat more or less open with the forming element so disposedrelatively to such open portion as to receive the stock on its surfaceeither directly from or while passing through such open side. In theregular verticaltype, for instance, the forming wire travels in a planesomewhat inclined to the horizontal, the stock vat being so placed as toslightly overlie the adjacent end of the traveling wire and having theusual lateral opening in its lower end with control gate or regulator,for delivery of stock directly to the traveling wire. By the regulator,the feed may be properly adjusted to the speed of the wire, all otherconditions being duly considered. In all other types of machines inwhich stock is taken from the vats by the forming elements, such elementis so disposed as to travel upwardly through an open side of the vat ortrough, or else it is so arranged as to be partly within the vat with aportion extending below the upper edges of the vat and appreciably belowthe surface of the stock thereinpartially immersed. In all such cases itis evident that there is a considerable stagnation of the stock, withpractically no current or movement. The stock in this condition is whatis commonly reterred to as quiet and is not in a good state for properformation. For good formation,

the fibres should be distributed as evenly or uniformly as possiblethroughout the mass and, at the same time, should be criss-crossed orinterlaced as thoroughly as possible,-in order to give the greatesttensile strength in all directions. Many attempts have been made, withvarying degrees of success, to

cross or interlace the fibres as they are taken onto the formingsurface. However, the attempts at interlacing, heretofore, have beendependent upon various forms of mechanical agitators. These agitators,however, do not take into consideration or overcome the stagnation andresulting quiet condition of the stock.

Among the aims of the present invention are overcoming the variousobjections above disclosed, while at the same time providing a machinehaving many advantages not found 1n any existing machines or apparatusaimed at accomplishing the same general results.

In order to more clearly disclose the con-,

struction, operation, and use of the invention, and the method ofputting the same into ef fect, reference should be had to theaccompanying drawings forming part of the present application.Throughout the several figures of the drawings like reference charactersdesignate the same parts in all of the views.

In the drawings: I

Fig. 1 is a top plan view'of the invention, as applied.

- Fig. 2 is a lateral vertical cross section on line 2-2 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a view similar to Fig. 2, showing a modification.

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary cross section through the deckle and deckleholder.

Fig. 5 is an enlarged fragmentary view showing the mounting andadjustment of the deckle holder and deckle.-

Fig. 6 is a top plan view of the second modification.

In all cases in which the liquid stock is stagnant or quiet as it istaken up by the forming surface the travel of the surface will have anappreciable tensile strength in the direction of its length but verylittle tensile strength laterally or at right angles to the length ofthe sheet. For the production of papers of increased transversestrength, or of substantially equal strength both longitudinally andtransversely the liquid stock must be thoroughly agitated as it passesonto the forming surface. In order to maintain a. uniform consistencywith resulting uniformity in the formed sheet, the liquid stock is sofed through specially constructed and disposed channels on its way tothe forming surface that it is kept thoroughly mixed and of asubstantially uniform consistencythe proportion of fibrous matter towater being ma1ntained the same throughout. To further maintain suchuniformity and, at the same time, insure an ample quantity of stockconstantly in contact with the traveling formlng surface, a specialconstruction provides an auxiliary chamber into which the feed opens,

, enclosing an agitator which occupies the greater part of the chamberand having one side open to the traveling forming element.

Referring to the drawings in detail, 1 indicates the shell of a wellknown suction couch roll in general use at the present time in pa ermaking machines of various types. Withm the shell 1 is mounted, in wellknown manner, a. suction box having the two separate compartments forformin and tempering vacuums. About the she and traveling therewith, mayextend a forming wire of usual and well known type. Or, the roll may bewire covered. It is necessary, of course, to have a fine mesh or clothcovering of some kind on the outer surface of the roll to hold the layerof fibres. Otherwise, there would be no layer formation, as the stockfibres as well as the water, would be practically all drawn through theperforations and to the interior of the suction chambers.

The box or vat 2 for supplying stock to the suction roll is speciallyconstructed and arranged for keeping the stock in motion as it passes toa feed chamber which is so designed and disposed as to, at all times,maintain an adequate supply of liquid stock about the agitator incontact with the forming surface, while at the same time avoiding asurplus-or maintaining only the quantity required for most efficientoperation. It will be understood that the assembly shown in Figs. 1 and3 represents one unit of a machine usually, though not necessarily,having at least two such units. In a machine having two units, they arearranged as right and left hand units, the one shown in this case beingthe left hand, and the other (not shown) the right and exactlycomplementary thereto. In such machines, a two-ply sheet may be formed,one ply on each unit, and the two then suitably bonded. On the otherhand, this plural unit type is not essential to the invention, as theinvention lies in the elements or parts of a single unit and the meth-0d of handling the liquid stock. The unit, iself, may be coupled up invarious other arrangements, or assembla es, as well as in various othertypes of mac ines.

The liquid stock is supplied to the vat through the usual or any othersuitable and well known means. As will be seen on reference to Figures 2and 3, the vat is substantially L-shape in lateral vertical crosssection and so positioned, relatively to the roll, that the uppersurface of the horizontal branch 3 falls, substantially in the sameplane as the horizontal longitudinal center of the roll. This branch isconsiderably reduced in cross sectional area in comparison with thecross sectional area of the vertical branch 4. To reduce friction andavoid eddies in which fibres may become banked and packed, in the rearlower part of the vertical branch, and to eliminate the right anglecorner or wall at a diametrically op osite point, these areas are cut onlong gra ual substantially concentric curves presentin the minimumobstruction to the free uni orm flow of the liquid stock. As will beclear from the above, and from Figs. 2 and 3 of the drawings, the outletof branch 3, thus provided, is not only considerably below but at anappreciable distance from the horizontal longitudinal center line of theroll, the point at which it is desired to deliver the stock to theforming surface; To lead the stock upwardly and outwardly to the pointwhere it will be taken up by the roll, a curved plate or trou h 5 isused. It is provided with an attaching ange which is either continuousor as a plurality of separate flanges or ears. The upper outer portionof this trough 5 is considerably thickened as at 7, the curve beingcontinued somewhat more sharply through this portion so that the upperend of the curve is directed rearwardly. Throu hout this thickenedportion, the outer face of the trough is substantially vertical, leavingat the upper end a horizontal face of shoulder 8 to which is suitablyclamped an apron 9 by means of a suitable clamp 10. In clamping theapron in place, the free tapered edge is so disposed as to just lightlyengage the upwardly traveling surface of the forming element to maintaina substantially liquid tight seal or joint and prevent leakage or drifrom the box. It will be noticed that opposite the upper edge of thetrough, the outer edge of the upper wall of the horizontal vat branch 3is rounded off at 11 on an arc of approximately the mean inner curvatureof the trough 5, and for the same purpose and operating in the samemanner as that of the other curved surfaces of the branch 3. In roundingoil this edge, a longitudinal feed opening 12 is left between it and theshoulder 8. It will be noticed that this opening is appreciably narroweror more constricted than the branch 3, which, in turn," is much narrowerthan the vertical branch 4. Liquid stock from the vertical branch 4flows downwardly, inwardly, and upwardly in a somewhat U-shaped circuitand through the feed openin 12. In order to direct this inflowing stoc 2into immediate contact with the forming element and maintain it thereduring the forming operation, a stock chamber is provided including thefeed opening in its bottom wall and having its roll side completelyopen. Preferably it is made by a longitudinal partition or wall 13extending from one end wall 14 to the other of the vat 2 and risingvertically to about one half the inside height of the vat ends, togetherwith an inclined top orvover-flow plate 15, the rear edge of which isfixed to the upper edge of the partition 13. The free edge of thisover-flow plate or top is so positioned, relatively to the formingelement, as to leave an outlet opening above the feed opening and ofapproximately the same width as the feed opening. It will be noticedthat, due to the curvature of roll, this outlet opening is somewhatnearer the longitudinal axis of the roll than is the lower or feedopening. Assuming the feed opening to be open to its maximum, and thestock to be used at a considerably slower rate than it is being fed intothe stock chamber, it is evident that the accumulation will graduallyfill the chamber and overflow above the over-. flow plate. The excesswill then flow longitudinally between the partition 13 and verticalbranch 4, through the opening 16 in the vat end, through the pocket orsmall chamber carried by the vat end, through an opening 17 in anextension of 4 and thence by a pipe back to the chest. The stock chamberthus formed and positioned, relatively to the roll, through the actionof the inclined leveling plate, maintains a constant level or head ofstock on the forming element. The inclined top or overflow plate, itwill be seen, acts as a leveler to maintain the stock at the height ofits upper edge, any rising higher than that line, necessarily runningover and down the incline. This is particularly desirable with thehigher speed machines where there is, with some kinds of stock, atendency for the upwardly traveling wire to cause a rolling orballingaction in the stock along the line where the wire leaves it, and wherethere is a tendency for the stock to thicken as the water is drawn offthrough the suction chamber. Any such balling, of course, tends tounevenness of the consistency of the stock and a poorer distribution ofthe fibres as will be readily understood. With the inclined plate, anytendency of this nature is avoided. The stock, at once, as it starts torise with. the traveling wire, will simply flow back down the inclinebefore any rolling or balling formation can be appreciably started, thusaiding greatly in maintaining perfect uniformity in the consistency ofthe stock at a point where said uniformity is most essential. Thus, theinclined overflow plate acts as a leveling plate and performs the doublefunction of both maintaining constant consistency of stock and avoidingany possible balling or rolling tendency of the stock and resultingthickening at the point where the forming wire leaves the stock.

To regulate the head of liquid stock in the vertical branch 4, asuitable slide gate 18 is vprovided. Preferably, the gate is a simpleslide or plate freely movable in suitable ways or grooves formed in theinner walls of 4. A set of such plates are provided, each for adifferent head desired. When the stock rises above the particular gateedge it simply overflows into the overflow pipe and chest.

To obtain satisfactory results, it has been found best to regulate thevolume of the feed racks 20 are provided, which connect at one end to 2.lug on the rear edge on gate 19 and have free sliding movement in alower bracket 21 in which is swivele-d a shaft 22 which extends upwardlythrough suitable guide and brace bracket 23 and is provided with a handwheel 24 for operating. Said shaft carries on its lower end, of course,a pinion 25 which mesheswith and drives rack 20. Several of these rackand pinion drives are shown but it is clear, of course, that the numbermay be considerably increased, as desired.

In the feed chamber is disposed an agitating device comprising a rod 26near the free end of which is provided a collar 27 the extreme endplaying freely in a frame member and a coil spring 28 being disposedabout the rod end and between the collar and frame member to keep therod yieldingly forced toward the right end Fig. 1. The opposite end isconnected to and operated by a cam, eccentric, or other revoluble device29 which may be driven by suitable connections from any of the shafts ofthe machine or from a motor or other separate operating means, as may bedesired. On this reciprocable rod are a plurality of substantiallyrectangular agitator plates 30 arranged at short distances apart,securely fastened" to said shaft in'such spaced relation, and eachhaving its edge which is nearest the roll formed on a curve practicallyconcentric with the roll face. These plates.

are so mounted that their concave edges are slightly spaced from theroll face. Also, they are so mounted that they directly overlie the feedopening from the vat extending from the roll across and slightly abovethe shoulder 8 and the greater part of the distance across the feedopening. Likewise, it will be noticed that the plates extend laterallyfrom the roll more than half way to the partition. 13 and verticallyfrom the feed opening more than half way to the overflow plate.Whilethese proportions are not essential, it has been found preferableto have the areas of the plates and of the cross section of stockchamber of approximately those given. By-

the above construction, the entire mass of stock being fed to the rollmay be maintained uniform throughout and kept thoroughly agitated sothat the fibres are adequately intermingled and crossed.

The tortuous curved passage through 3, 4, and 12, insures a uniformmixing and consistency of the stock and tends to ive a preliminarycrossing or interlacing o the fibres which is subsequently adequatelycompleted by the agitator.

Where lateral tensile strength of the paper is of little consequence andthe crossing of the fibres, therefore, not important, the agitator maybe omitted, or, if not omitted, may be permitted to simply remain idle.

The form shown in Figs. 3 and (3 is a variation of the preferredconstruction. In this form, the longitudinal partition is extended thefull height of the vat, the overflow plate is omitted, the stock chambercomprises the space between said partition and the roll, and thevibrator is mounted and operates in that space. On the other hand, alateral partition is provided near one end of the longitudinalpartition, forming a small end compartment between said longitudinalpartition and the vertical wall of the vat. At this point, the upper endof the partition is cut away or an outlet opening provided for excessstock, which passes thence to the outlet or waste pipe leading back tothe chest as in the other cases. By this modification, it is possible tosubstitute for the rack and pinion mechanism, a simpler and more compactarrangement comprising horizontally disposed screws 39 suitably swiveledin the partition 13 threaded into nuts, sleeves, or the like 40 formedin or secured to angle plates or brackets 41 rigidly connected to theslide or cut off 19. In this form, the hand wheels or the like 42 foroperating 39 are arranged in the chamber between partition 13 and thewall of the vertical part of the vat. Otherwise, this vat is verysimilar to the preferred form, shown in Figs. 1 and 2, both inconstruction and operation.

In Figs. 4 and 5 the details of the preferred form of mounting andadjusting the deckles are disclosed. It will be seen that the verticalfree edges of the ends of the vat ad acent the roll are formed on acurve or arc 32 of substantially the same degree of curvature as orconcentric with the curvature of the lateral vertical cross section ofthe roll, so that the roll may revolve freely within said arc. Each vatwall, preferably, on a curve concentric with the are 31, is providedwith a plurality of elongated slots 32 for adjustably connecting thedeckle holders 33 and their deckles tothe vat ends in proper positionrelatively to the shell of the roll. The deckle holders which comprise acomparatively narrow metal plate having an arcuate inner edge ofapproximately the same degree of curvature as that of the roll areadapted to be disposed close to and concentric therewith. One face ofthis holder is cut away or recessed as at 34; to a considerable depthboth laterally (in the direction of its thickness) and outwardly (fromthe inner toward the outer edge). This recess may, preferably, be madesubstantially concentric with the are 31 and the curvature of the roll.It is adapted to receive an arcuate rubber deckle 35 the free end ofwhich, when in proper adjusted position, is adapted to lie very close tobut not quite in actual contact with the forming wire on the cylinder.The exact proper adj ustmentis very important. If the deckle actuallycontacts with the wire in its travel, the wire will be cut or torn-itwill be badly damaged. On the other hand, if there is an appreciablespace between the edge of the deckle and the forming wire, the liquidstock will seep out laterally beyond the ends of the vat wall. Theaction of the vacuum within the roll on the area between the vat endwalls permits the normal atmospheric pressure outside the same to'exerta daming action counter to the seepage tendency of the stock. Thiscounter action of the normal. atmospheric pressure will be ample toprevent seepage when the deckles are properly adjusted-only veryslightly spaced from the wire. For efi'ecting this adjustment, theholder may be provided with a number of bolt holes to receive clampingbolts 36, the bolt holes in said plate, of course, being so disposedthat the shanks of the bolts, when the deckles are in operative positionwill also extend through the respective elongated slots 32. Nuts 37turned down upon the ends of the bolts from the inner face of the vatends, act to clamp the deckle holders in operative position against theouter faces of the vat ends, securely binding the deckles in their seatsby the clamping action of the deckle holders and vat walls respectively.Proper accurate adjustment of the deckles toward and from the roll'isobtained by loosening the nuts 37, moving the deckle to the desiredposition, and then again tightening the nuts. The deckles themselves, itwill be seen, are solidly seated in their operative positions andrigidly braced in all directions, while yet being entirely separate fromtheir holders and freely removable from and replaceable in their seatsin the deckle holders.

The deckles for use with rolls of any one diameter will, of course, allbe made, on exactly the same arc, the right hand deckles all beingidentical and the left hand all being identical. Consequently, when thedeckle holders of any particular roll have once been used, they may besecurely fixed in adjusted position by two or more dowels 38, rigidlyholding them against any slight slipping during operation of themachine. Then, when the deckle is to be replaced, it is only necessaryto loosen the nuts 37, take out the worn deckle, replace it with a newone, and tighten up the nuts. Since the old and new deckles are, at thestart, exactly identical, and since the holder has been adjusted for theold deckle, it follows that the same adjustment of the holder appliesexactly to the replacing deckle. Thus, one adjustment of the deckleholders of the machine is all that is necessary, the dowel pins actingalways, to accurately maintain this adjustment.

It is thought that the construction, operation, and use of the apparatusof this invention, as well as the method involved, will be clear fromthe preceding detail description. Changes may be made in theconstruction arrangement and disposition of the various parts of theapparatus and in carrying out the several steps of the method, allwithin the scope of the appended claims, without in i any degreedeparting from the field and intention of this invention, and it ismeant to include all such within this application wherein only severalforms of the apparatus has been disclosed for purely illustrativepurposes.

What I claim is:

1. A vat for paper making machines comprising, a body of approximatelyL-shaped cross section and having an upwardly directed outlet leadingtherefrom for delivery of stock to a traveling forming surface, said vatlying entirely on the delivery side of said forming surface, and abovethe lower part thereof and having continuous curved surfaces at thepoints of mergence of its branches with each other and with the outlet.

2. A vat for paper making machines comprising, a substantially uprightbranch and a branch connecting therewith and at an an le thereto andterminating in an upwardly irected outlet leading therefrom for deliveryof stock to a traveling forming surface, said vat lying entirely on thedelivery side of said forming surface, and above the lower part thereofand having continuous curved surfaces at the points of mergence of itsbranches with each other and with theoutlet.

3. A vat for'paper making machines comprising, a body of approximatelyL-shaped cross section, the vertical branch being of greater crosssectional area than" the other branch, andthe other branch terminatingin an upwardly directed outlet leading therefrom for delivery of stockto a traveling forming surface, said vat lying entirely on the deliveryside of said forming surface, and above the lower part thereof andhaving continuous curved surfaces at the points of mergence of itsbranches with each other and with the outlet.

4. A vat for paper making machines comprising, a body having a tortuousunderfeed passage adapted to deliver stock upwardly onto a travelingforming surface, said vat lying entirely on the delivery side of saidform-, ing surface, and above the lower part thereof and havingcontinuous curved surfaces at the points of mergence of its brancheswith each other and with the outlet.

5. A vat for paper making machines comprising, a body having a tortuousunderfeed passage of decreasing cross sectional area and adapted todeliver stock upwardly onto a traveling forming surface, said vat lyingentirely on the delivery side of said forming surface, and above thelower part thereof and having continuous curved surfaces at the pointsof mergence ofits branches with each other and with the outlet.

6. In combination with a vat for paper making machines comprising a bodyof approximately L-shaped cross section and having an upwardl directedoutlet leading therefrom for delivery of stock to a traveling formingsurface, an agitator over-lying said outlet and in the'path of issuingstock, said vat lying entirely on the delivery side of said formingsurface, and above the lower part thereof and having continuous curvedsurfaces at the points of mergence of its branches with each other andwith the outlet.

7. A vat for paper making machines comprising, a body having a tortuousunderfeed passage adapted to deliver stock upwardly onto a travelingforming surface, and means for controlling the feed of stock from saidvat.

8. A vat for paper making machines comprising, a body having a tortuousunderfeed passage adapted to deliver stock upwardly onto a travelingforming surface, means for controlling the feed of stock from said vat,and an agitator disposed above said opening and in the path of deliveryof the stock 9. In combination, a vat for paper making machinescomprising, a body having a tortuous underfeed passage adapted todeliver stock upwardly onto a traveling forming surface, and anauxiliary stock chamber into which said vat delivers, said vat lyingentirely on the delivery side of said forming surface, and above thelower part thereof and having continuous curved surfaces at thepoints'of mergence of its branches with each other and with the outlet.

10. In combination, a vat for paper making machines com rising, a bodhaving a tortuous underfee passa e to eliver stock upwardly onto atraveling forming surface, an auxiliary stock chamber into which saidvat delivers and an agitator within said auxiliary chamber and in thepath of the infiowing stock, said vat lying entirely on the deliveryside of said forming surface, and above the lower part thereof and havincontinuous curved surfaces at the points 0 mergence .of

its branches with each other and with the outlet.

11. In combination, a vat for paper making machines comprising, a bodyhaving a tortuous underfeed passage adapted to deliver stock upwardlyonto a traveling forming surface, means-for controlling the delivery ofthe stock, an auxiliary stock chamber into which said vat delivers, andan agitator within said auxiliary chamber and in the path of theinfiowing stock.

12. In combination, a vat for paper making machines comprising, a bodyhaving a tortuous underfeed passage adapted to deliver stock upwardlyonto a traveling forming surface, and an inclined leveling platedirected toward a co-operating suction roll and disposed at a distanceabove the feed opening leading from said vat.

'13. A vat for paper making machines comprising, a body having atortuous feed passage adapted to deliver stock onto a traveling formingsurface, said vat lying entirely on r the delivery side of said formingsurface, and

above the lower part thereof and having continuous curved surfaces atthe points of mergence of its branches with each other and with theoutlet.

\ 14. In combination in a paper making machine, a traveling formingsurface, a vat provided with a tortuous underfeed passage adapted todeliver stock upwardly onto said traveling surface, an auxiliary stockchamber above and receiving stock from said vat, and an inclinedoverflow plate for said stock chamber adapted to direct the stock towardsaid traveling surface.

15. In combination in a paper machine, a traveling forming surface, avat provided with a tortuous underfeed passage adapted to deliver stockupwardly onto said traveling surface, an auxiliary stock chamber aboveand receiving stock from said vat, and an inclined overflow plate forsaid chamber extending upwardly toward said forming surface and leavingbetween its upper edge and said surface an overflow opening, the inclineof said plate acting to direct the incoming stock onto the surface andthe excess or overflow stock away from said surface.

16 In combination with a vat for paper making machine, arcuate deckleholders, and means for adjustably securing said holders to the walls ofsaid vat..

17. In combination with a vat for paper making machines, arcuate deckleholders provided with deckle recesses, deckles adapted to be seated insaid recesses, and means for securing said holders to the vat walls.

18. In combination with a vat for paper making machines, arcuate deckleholders provided with deckle recesses, deckles adapted to be seated insaid recesses, means for adjusting the deckle holders, and means forclampin the deckle holders against the vat walls to ind the deckles inposition.

19. In combination with a vat for paper making machines, arcuate deckleholders provided with deckle recesses, deckles adapted to be seated insaid recesses, means for adjusting said holders and deckles, means forsecuring them in adjusted position, and means for maintaining thisselected adjustment.

20. In the combination with a vat for paper making machines, arcuatedeckles carried thereby.

21. In combination with a vat for paper making machines, arcuate decklescarried thereby and means for adjusting said deckles.

22. In combination in a paper making machine an upwardly travelingforming surface,

means for delivering stock thereto, and arcu--' ate deckles cooperatingwith said forming surface to retain stock thereon said deckles closelyapproaching but not contacting with said forming surface whereby thestock is retained on said forming surface over an area between saiddeckles without frictional engagement between said deckles and saidformin surface.

igned at Sandusky this 14th day of March,

WILLIAM H. MILLSPAUGH.

